FHSAA upholds ineligibility of Armwood OL Gabe Nold

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BRADENTON — There likely will be no reprieve for Armwood senior lineman Gabe Nold this season.

Nold, who transferred from Wharton earlier this year, had his appeal denied by the Florida High School Athletic Association Section 3 Appeals Committee on Thursday morning. Armwood principal Michael Ippolito never allowed Nold to play because he said the residence information provided to the school was false.

Nold can still appeal to the FHSAA board of directors. Peter Hobson, the attorney representing Nold and his family, said a decision to appeal will be made within the next five days.

Hobson argued that cell phone records show Nold lives in Armwood's geographic zone. He tried to prove that on certain days during the week, Nold lived with his father (his parents are separated) in Armwood's school district.

"It's not fair," Hobson said. The organization doesn't undertand its own bylaws ...I don't think they were genuine. They're still caught being anti-Armwood. Gabe, his father and his mother have done nothing wrong here."

Nold was declared ineligible separate from the initial FHSAA investigation that found five members of the 2011 state champion football team falsified residence information and/or did not make a full and complete move into Armwood's district. The Hawks had to forfeit 15 victories and the Class 6A state title.

Hillsborough County athletic director Lanness Robinson said Thursday that during a visit to the Nolds' Seffner apartment, there was not much evidence Nold was living there.

Gabe's father, John, said he was frustrated by the decision.

"I don't know how much more we can go through," John Nold said. "How much more clear and convincing evidence do you need?"